2000 Jeep Wrangler "Blue J"

  • HTML tutorial
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

Hey guys. This is (somewhat unfortunately) my third build thread. I keep having to move vehicles around for different reasons, but hopefully this one will be mine for a good while.
It is a 2000 TJ with the 2.8l 4cyl. The motor is not ideal, but it actually performs a lot better than I thought it would. It doesn't like highways, but neither do I honestly.
This is how she looked when I got her. She was honestly pretty ready to go when I got her. I will make changes for sure, but it is not a bad starting point at all. I have owned quite a few Jeeps over the years and I consider myself a Jeep guy. I am so happy to be in a TJ, its my favorite one.
Ill be posting a lot more updates as I build this little Blue-J out and take her one some adventures.

20171011-DSC07001.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Northernlady, adventure_is_necessary and Jimmy P
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

I was browsing Craigslist and I found someone wanting to trade their ARB Bull Bar for "something different. I showed them my bumper and offered to trade and they were down for it. It needed some paint and had a bit of a dent on the left side but I love it! I have always loved ARB bumpers and I love it on my Jeep. It also feels good to have that extra protection up front.

20171115-DSC07665.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Northernlady, Jes, adventure_is_necessary and 2 others
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

After this it was time for a sunrise test run up Bunce School Road near Lyons Colorado, with a little bit of the Place Crash Trail thrown in. I ran it with my Father-in-Law Scott (OB8832). It did well, but I learned my lift kit wasn't effective enough. Scotts Jeep that had a Rough Country 2.5" rolled through obstacles much easier than I did with my hockey puck lift.

It was really fun though, and good to get out in the wild. We decided to try to do this at least once a month through the winter and more in the summer with at least one big trip planned per year.

20171120-DSC07690.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy P and adventure_is_necessary
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

I found an AWESOME deal on Craigslist for this used Garvin Wilderness Racks rear bumper and tire carrier. I am very glad I did as this solves a lot of problems for me having a small Jeep. I have place for fuel and a way to mount my CB antenna and eventually a shovel and Axe. It also gave me a better place than my hood for my HighLift jack.

20171205-DSC08014.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Northernlady, Jimmy P and adventure_is_necessary
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

I removed the light bar because, even though I LOVED the light it produced I simply could not handle the whistle. It was so loud and annoying and no matter how I adjusted the light it always came back. Still wanting additional light though, I added theses a-pillar mounts and they work great!

20171211-DSC08026.jpg

I got my CB mounted inside. This little mount from Rough Country works great! And I can wrap the mic cord around it and get it all out of the way when I don't need it. When you have a Jeep its always about find the most space-effeciant way to get something done.

20171211-DSC08028.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Northernlady, Jimmy P and adventure_is_necessary
Nathan Gilmer

Nathan Gilmer

Rank II

Advocate II

455
Northglenn Co.
Member #

8831

Since then I have installed the Rough Country 2.5" lift. It definitely helped the stance, it rides WAY better and I definitely have more flex. I need to get it on a trail soon to test it out but most of our trails have feet of snow on them right now. So backcountry dirt roads will have to suffice.

I also traded my Duratracs (not a huge fan) for this set of BFG Mud-Terrains. I had 265/70r16s and I wanted to go with something skinnier and a little taller. These are 255/80r17s and I think they are perfect.

I am pretty happy with where my Jeep is right now. Of course there is plenty I want to do in the future (including a 2.8 cummins swap) but right now it is plenty capable, prepared, complete, and ready for the kind of overlanding I want to do.

I took her out on January 1st to watch the sun rise on the new year and it felt great. I think 2018 is going to be filled with some awesome adventures and I get to go one some awesome ones with you guys.

DSC08299.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Northernlady, Smileyshaun, adventure_is_necessary and 1 other person
DangerBear028

DangerBear028

Rank II
Launch Member

Contributor I

484
Nolensville,Tennessee
Member #

9760

Nathan Gilmer said:
Since then I have installed the Rough Country 2.5" lift. It definitely helped the stance, it rides WAY better and I definitely have more flex. I need to get it on a trail soon to test it out but most of our trails have feet of snow on them right now. So backcountry dirt roads will have to suffice.

I also traded my Duratracs (not a huge fan) for this set of BFG Mud-Terrains. I had 265/70r16s and I wanted to go with something skinnier and a little taller. These are 255/80r17s and I think they are perfect.

I am pretty happy with where my Jeep is right now. Of course there is plenty I want to do in the future (including a 2.8 cummins swap) but right now it is plenty capable, prepared, complete, and ready for the kind of overlanding I want to do.

I took her out on January 1st to watch the sun rise on the new year and it felt great. I think 2018 is going to be filled with some awesome adventures and I get to go one some awesome ones with you guys.

View attachment 43885
Click to expand...
Are planning on the R2.8 swap soon?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom